A short guide to PropTech vocabulary

The right tenant experience can make a property stand out.

There are a lot of PropTech terms flying around out there. Space-as-a-service, asset fracking, digital twins...it's one thing to be aware of them, and it's another thing entirely to actually understand what they mean. Read on for a handy guide to the vocabulary that is relevant to PropTech today (and for a deeper dive all about the term PropTech itself, check out this article here).

PropTech is the physical and digital technologies that impact the property business, ranging from finance to user experience.

Activity-based workplaces

A workplace design that focuses on offering multiple different spatial layouts for various tasks and activity levels. For instance, some private rooms, some open-plan space, and some lounge-style seating.

AI

AR

Augmented reality. AR is a layer of data or imagery projected over the real world in order to augment it.

Asset fracking

The process of monetizing each individual part of a property. For instance, using Airbnb to rent out apartments that have not been leased yet.

Blockchain

A "distributed ledger" or growing list of records that cannot be changed. Blockchain is closely associated with cryptocurrency, for which it typically serves as a recorder. The immutable nature of blockchain tech makes it highly useful in some areas, such as property title research.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Processes that allow for the representation of

the physical and digital systems of a property.

Co-living

A style of housing where multiple residents will have private bedrooms (and often bathrooms) but share common areas. Often seen as a cost-effective way to live in hip neighborhoods.

ConTech

Construction Tech. Similar to PropTech but with a focus on the execution and support of physical build projects.

Co-working

An office model that sees different companies (or potentially individuals) working side by side in a shared space. Some co-working providers will rent out some suites to corporate occupiers, acting like a traditional manager, while also renting out some space a la carte to companies or freelancers.

Digital twin

Similar to BIM, a virtual representation of a building or object that uses real-time data to allow managers to better understand and control their systems.

Hot desking

A model of workplace management that skips assigned seating and instead allows workers to reserve a space when they come in for the day (or, with the right software, ahead of time).

Space-as-a-service is a real estate model that provides bundled service offerings in addition to the physical space, often available on demand.

IoT

A network of devices and computers that can share data and advanced functionality with one another. Examples include smart lights, smart locks and devices like Amazon Echo.

Also called phone booths or focus pods, these are enclosed, semi-private, often sound-insulated and climate-controlled spac

es designed for small meetings, phone calls, or high-bandwidth work in open-plan offices.

Open-plan office

These are offices without private, enclosed offices or cubicles with large dividers. They are usually cheaper to build than alternate layouts, and can be effective for some employees and types of work, but are also associated with negative outcomes like worse communication and productivity.

PropTech

Property Technology. The physical and digital technologies that impact the property business, ranging from finance to user experience.

Smart cities

Urban areas that use tools like sensors and IoT to optimize their operations and the experience of their residents.

Smart lockers

Private, networked, locked boxes that package deliveries can be stowed inside for later retrieval by a tenant with a unique code or card.

A real estate model that provides bundled service offerings in addition to the physical space, often available on demand. An example would be a coworking or co-living provider that also includes connectivity and events.

Tech stack

The day to day experience of working or living in a given property. Through planning, tech and design, property owners can offer a better tenant experience to their occupants.

VR

Virtual reality. VR is entirely digital imagery displayed through a headset or network of projectors. It can also include sound and tactile feedback, as well. For more on AR and VR, take a look at this article, which we published last year.

So there's your guide to PropTech vocabulary. This is certainly the shallow end of the PropTech pool. Regardless of your property type, job role or geographic market, odds are there is a PropTech system influencing how you could be doing your work.